A PUB and restaurant has had its licence suspended after two bosses were arrested in connection with a serious assault on a former member of staff.

Durham County Council took interim action against Big Joe’s Steakhouse and Bar, at Ramshaw, near Bishop Auckland, following an application by the police.

A licensing sub-committee, which met at County Hall in Durham yesterday morning, heard the alleged incident took place on Monday afternoon when a chef went to collect wages from employer, licensee Joseph Cunningham Senior, at his house which is near to the pub.

Durham Constabulary’s licensing Inspector Rachel Stockdale said the chef had not been paid since before Christmas but when his request for money was declined an argument started.

She said the chef was allegedly punched in the face by Mr Cunningham’s son Joseph Jnr or JJ, who acts as the designated premises supervisor (DPS), and sustained a fractured jaw before being chased by Mr Cunningham Snr, the premises licence holder and business owner, with a metal bar.

She said: “The IP (injured party) managed to run away and drove off.”

Insp Stockdale said the victim drove to Bishop Auckland police station then went to Bishop Auckland Hospital before transferred to hospitals in Durham then Sunderland where he saw a specialist and has been informed he may require surgery.

She told the committee that the two men, along with a third suspect, were arrested in connection with the incident and have been released on police bail pending further investigation.

She said police sought the immediate suspension of the premises licence and removal of the DPS on the grounds that the premises were associated with serious crime and serious disorder- with the DPS suspected of a serious assault and the licensee and owner suspected of affray.

“It is felt they are not proper persons to conduct premises within County Durham and Darlington,” she added.

The committee agreed to the action as an interim measure and will hold a full review by February 15, to consider whether the premises licence should be revoked.

Neither man attended the hearing but when approached by The Northern Echo for a comment, Mr Cunningham Snr denied the incident took place as alleged.

He said: “There was no fight, no violence. We’ll appeal to keep our licence. I bought the old Bridge Inn, spent a fortune doing it up and five people work there, so we’re not going to let it close.”